‘Have a go’ event at Swindon fire station this weekend

A ‘have a go’ event is being held at Swindon fire station this Sunday 15th October to encourage women and other under-represented parts of the community to consider applying to be a firefighter.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is running a total of six such events across its area during October ahead of a wholetime recruitment opening on 6th November.

The intention of the events – which each run from 10am to 1pm – is to give hands-on experience to people who might otherwise think that being a firefighter is not for them.

Group Manager Karen Adams said: “By running these events, we’re saying to all parts of our community that being a firefighter can be a career choice for anyone. Nationally, the fire and rescue service is 95% male and 96% white, so we are trying to remove any barriers that might deter women and ethnic minorities from applying. When we appoint, it will be the best people for the job, so we want the strongest possible pool of applicants to choose from.”

She added: “The main aim is to give people the opportunity to ‘have a go’ at using our equipment and doing some of the tests that form part of the application process. Being a firefighter is a physical role, and we know that a lot of people don’t apply because they don’t think they can meet the requirements, so we want to dispel some myths and also help potential applicants to understand what is needed.”

Anyone wanting to attend is asked to bring suitable PT kit so they can try some of the physical tests from the application process.

More information, including details of how to apply in November and a link to a 12 week training programme designed to help people meet the required fitness standard, can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/be-one-of-us